Laundry dryers



June 26, 1956 P. w. DOUGLAS LAUNDRY DRYERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 19, 1953 I INVENTUR FEYTBN W. DuuBLAs BY 691 K 622 AT T UR'NEY June 26, 1956 P. w. DOUGLAS 2,751,688

LAUNDRY DRYERS Filed June 19, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 [NVENTUR FEY UNMLESUGLRE BY a g an! ATT URNEY June 26, 1956 P. w. DOUGLAS 2,751,688

LAUNDRY DRYERS Filed June 19, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FE WNW. UUBLAE 24? Ml ATTURNEY Unimd ates Patent LAUNDRY DRYERS Peyton W. Douglas, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Pennsylvania Range Boiler Co., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of iiennsylvania Application June 19, 1953, Serial No. 362,820

13 Claims. (Cl. 334- 82) This invention relates to laundry dryers, and more particularly to cabinet dryers having a tumbling drum, and means for circulating heated air therethrough.

The invention is directed to a dryer having a drum of relatively 'irnpertor'ate construction, the drum ends of which are supported on large diameter annular bearings,

providing large central openings at both rear and 'front for the entrance and exit of a drying medium. The invention is further directed to a dryer construction having a drum of maximum diameter within a given cabinet size, and in which air to be heated immediately prior to entering the drum is allowed to circulate freely within the space between the cabinet and drum exterior.

Further, the invention is directed to a novel aimular wide diameter, non-metallic bearing construction, andto a drive adapted to suspend the drum witha consequent lightening of the bearing load. Additionally, the invention contemplates a novel ducting system embodying as a part thereof a lint screen readily accessible from the front loading door, and being located ahead of the blower and any concealed ducting. The construction is fur- 'ther directed toward economy of manufacture and assembly, as well as toward the provision of a laundry dryer which is highly eflicient in operation.

The above and other important features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when-taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustrati'on only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had .for this .purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indica'te like parts:

'Figure l is a front elevational view of the dryer;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section view taken below the dryer drum substantially in the plane 2-2 of .Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substa rk ti'ally in the plane 33 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through the drum substantially in the plane 4-4 of Figure 3.;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken-immediately behind the drum substantially in the plane -5--5 of Figure 3; I

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially in the plane 66 of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken throughthe idler assembly, substantially in the plane 57-7 of Figure 5,;

. Figure 8 ,is a sectional view taken in the {plane 8--8 of Figure 3, showing the front annular bearing mount; and

Figure 9 .is a sectional view taken :in the ,plane 9 -9 of Figure 3., showing the rear annular bearing mount.

:Referring :to the drawings, and more particularly to :Figures 1-3, 'there'is shown-a cabinet fashioned from suitably stiif sheet metaland having afro'nt panel '21, "'a

2,751,688 Patented June 26, 1956 door frame 22 recessed therein, and a rectangular elon gated door 23, hinged as at 24 along one side. Below the-front panel is a base panel 25 set back slightly to pro vide toe space, such panel having a rectangular air outlet .26. More particularly, as shown in Figure .3, the front panel has a rectangular offset 27 forming the door frame -22, and an annular inturned flange 28 extending rearwardly within the upper part of the frame. Such .fiange has a conical portion 29, and a cylindrical hearing portion 30, the flange defining an access opening to a tumbling drum 32 located rearwardly thereof and journaled on said bearing portion 30.

The base structure .is formed of angle-sectioned side members .34 and 36 extending from front to rear, such .members having fiat sections 35 and 37 adapted fornlount- .ing a blower 38 and motor 40, respectively, on suitable brackets 39 and 41, .and upright sections 42 and 43 (Figure 4) forming base side panels, such panels being outwardly flanged as at 44 and 45 along their upper edges to receive the lower flanged edges of the cabinet side panels 46 and 47, respectively. A transverse Z-sectioned member 50 (Fig. 3) connects said side members 34 and 36, the portion 52 of member 50 being spot welded or otherwise secured to the flat sections 35 and 37. The base panel 25 'is an integral part of the member '50, and has a forward extending flange 54 along its upper edge lying in acommon plane with flanges 44 and 45 of members 34 and '36, and is adapted to receive the lower flanged edge of the front panel 21.

The side members 34 and 36 (Fig. 2') are connected together at the rear by an angle member 56., the lower portion 57 of the latter '(Fig. 3) being spot welded or otherwise secured to the flat sections 35 and 37, while flaps 48 :(Fig. 5f) integral with the side portions 42 and 43, maybe secured to the upstanding portion 58 of the member 56. The upstanding portion 58 is adapted to be secured to the rear panel 60, and is provided with a rectangular outlet port 61 (Fig. 3) located in alignment 'behind the outlet '26 in "the front base panel 25.

The "sidep'anels and front panel are flanged along their upper edges as at .62 (Fig. 3) to receive the 'in't'urned flange 6315f the top deck '64, the rear panel 60 connectihgwi'th the rear fl'ange '65 of deck '64. The rear panel provided with a plurality of louvres 66 to..prov'ide an adequate "air inlet for the cabinet. The front panel may be stiffened by 'ofiset ribs 67 "(Fig 1) located on either side of the door frame. j

The tumbling drum is likewise so fashioned from 'suitably stiif imperforate sheet'metal and comprises forward and rearward 'annularend wall members 70 and '72 (Fig. 3") of identical construction, each member comprising a "peripheral flange 74, and an inner annular channel-sectioned offset 76. The flanges 74 embrace a cylindrical outer wall 71. The channel-sectioned o'fis'et comprises aeylindrical inwardly facing bearing surface 78, and a cylindrical outwardly facing bearing surface 80, joined by an annular web '82,, which acts as an endwise thrust face. The inner cylindrical bearing portion extends forwardly into telescoping relation with the flange 30,, to provide access to the drum from 'the'do'or 23,, .and the di'ange 3'0 is of a diameter so as to be -located midway benween the'b'e'aring faces 78 and 80. The annular flange "50 is provided on its upper half and exteriorly thereof, with-acurved-strip of graphited or other lubricant bearing compacted felt -"79, and on its lower half and in'terior'ly thereof with a similar curved strip of bearing felt 81. Such -r'elt stripsfform the forward bearing and support for the drum While the felt has been described as lubricant bearing, it will be understood that animal fiber felt such as wool may "have snfficient natural lubricant.

While semicircular strips are "shown, the strips may "bemeans.

complete rings, if desired. The broad bearing surface The side panels 46 and 47 of thecabinet are" each provided at the rear thereof with spaced angle-brackets 83 and 84 (Fig. which angle members support plates 86 and 88, each of which is provided as shown in Figure 6, with a circular flange 90 and 92, respectively, for embracing and supporting a cylindrical housing member 94 to which the flanges are secured by spot welding or other The plates 86 and 88 are bolted to the angle members as at 96 in slotted apertures, so that vertical adjustment of the plates may be had. The cylindrical member 94 is of the same diameter as the cylindrical portion of the circular flange 28 (Fig.3), and the forward edge projects into the annular channel-sectionedoffset 76 'of the rear end member 72. The cylindrical surfaces 78 and of the drum end 72 form bearing surfaces, and cooperate with semicircular bearing felt strips 100 and 102, the upper strip 100 being secured to the under inside surface of the member 94 and bearing against the inner bearing surface 80, and the lower strip 102 being secured to the under outside surface of the member 94 and bearing against the outer surface 78. Such strips jointly engage the annular web portion 82 to provide a bearing against endwise thrust. The strips may extend completely around the bearing, if desired.

While the forward end of the drum rests upon the bearing felts 79 and 81 by gravity, the rearwardend of the drum is in effect lifted upward into engagement with the bearing felts 100 and 102 by reason of the sling or suspending effect of a drive belt 104 (Figs. 3 and 5) extending around the exterior of an annular angle section drive ring or flat pulley 106, welded or otherwise secured to the exterior of the drum end 72. Such belt extends upward and to one side over an idler shaft pulley 110, the rotation of which is counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 5, whereby the tension on the upwardly extending reach 111 of the belt 104 tends to lift the rear end of the drum into upward engagement with the bearing felts 100 and 102. The idler pulley is keyed to a stub shaft 112 (Fig. 7) journaled as at 115 in the upper end of an arm 113, the stub shaft extending through the arm and journal 115 and having a motor-driven pulley 116 keyed thereto. Such pulley has a belt drive 117 to the motor 40 (Figs. 2 and 4). The arm 113 is channeled for stiffness, and provided with a slot 120 (Fig. 5) in its lower end through which extends a shoulder bolt 121 secured to the plate 88. The arm is thus permitted to have a pivotal and longitudinal sliding movement, whereby the upper end may move angularly to tension the belt 104, or upwardly to tension the motor drive belt 117. To provide resilient tensioning of both belts simultaneously, a tension spring 125 is provided, such spring lying in an aperture 126 in the plate 88. The lower end of the spring is secured to an car 127 in the channel-sectioned arm 113, and the upper end in an ear 129 formed along the upper margin of the aperture 126 in the plate 88.

The cylindrical drum wall 71 is provided with U-sectioned tumbling baflles (Fig. 4), and the drum ends 70 and 72 may be secured in engagement with the drum wall 71 by tension bolts 142 (Figs. 3 and 4) extending within the bafiles 140, and between the end walls 70 and 72. The end walls may be formed to provide grooves 144 to receive the end edges of the baflies 140 in order to orient the end members with respect to the baffles and maintain a fixed relation.

The cylindrical member 94 (Figs. 3 and 5) may be drawn from sheet stock to provide an integral end wall 148, which end wall is louvred as at 149 (Fig. 4), the end wall being spaced from the back panel 60, and being located preferably adjacent to an unlouvred portion of the back panel, whereby air entering back panel louvres 66 circulates within the cabinet area before entering the louvres 149.

Within the member 94 (Figs. 3 and 4) is a cylindrical sleeve 153 having positioned therein an electrical resistance heating grid 155. The annular space between the sleeve 153 and cylinder 94 is insulated as at 154. The forward end of the sleeve 153 is provided with a protective screen 156.

- Air is drawn through the drum by the blower 38 (Figs. 3 and 4), the blower having an involute discharge duct leading to a rectangular sectioned conduit 162, extending from the outlet 26 in the front base panel 25, and to the outlet port 61 in the rear upstanding portion 58 of the angle member 56. The conduit, at either end, may telescope rectangular flanges 163 and 164 formed integral with the panel 25 and portion 58, respectively, when the outlet apertures 26 and 61, respectively, are formed. A cover plate 166 may be affixed over either outleti26 or 61 by screws 168, as may be desired, whereby exhaust may be directed into the room space through outlet 26 or to a duct from outlet 61, adapted to lead the exhaust to an outside vent.

The blower 38 is provided with an inlet duct 170 (Fig. 3) leading to an aperture in a lint screen panel 172 secured to the rear face of the front panel 21, within the door frame thereof, and beneath the annular flange 28. Such panel 172 aligns with a rectangular opening 173 in the panel 21, and is provided with a marginal offset flange 174 by which the panel 172 is secured to the front panel 21. The offset flange 174 forms a rectangular frame 175 for the reception of a rectangular lint screen 176, the screen having tapered side flanges 178 adapted to telescope within the side faces 180 of the rectangular frame, whereby the screen may slope away from contact with the panel 172 at the top, to a spaced relationship at the bottom. Thus, a free space behind the screen leading to the blower 38 is provided.

The door 23 is provided with a sealing strip around its marginal edge, and provides in combination with the offset door frame, a passage or duct from the drum downwardly to the lint screen, whence air is drawn, such air passing through the lint screen to the blower for discharge at either one or the other of the discharge duct outlets, depending on which is uncapped. The door, on

its inner surface, is provided with a circular flanged plate 89 acting as an end bulkhead lying in the plane of the drum opening. The plate, however, provides an annular clearance 188 for the passage of air leaving the drum. The air space 187 formed by the door and plate 189 may be vented by a louvre 186 so as to allow heated air to escape and prevent overheating of the door by 'radiant heat from the coil 155.

The blower is driven by a pulley 191 and belt 192 at approximately motor speed by a pulley 193 on the forward end of the motor shaft, while the drive pulley 194 for the drum is located at the rear of the motor.

Operation of the dryer will be understood from the foregoing description. Damp laundry is inserted into the drum through the door 23 and the large front opening of the drum, the door closed, the motor 40 started, and the resistance grid 155 energized. Tumbling is thereby affected in an atmosphere of air drawn into the cabinet, and heated as it enters the drum from the rear. The heated air absorbs moisture, passes out the front opening of the drum through the lint screen 176, into the blower 38, and into the outlet duct 162. The construction provides a single imperforate large drum, having a smooth interior least likely to generate lint, the diameter closely approaching the surrounding cabinet width. Cool entering air permetates the interior of the cabinet before passing over the heater coil 55,.whereby a cool cabinet and mechanism is assured. At the same time, maximum heat transfer to the air is assured, before the air enters the heater sleeve 94. Considerable heat which might invention is not limited thereto.

'0 be otherwise wasted is thus picked up and utilized, res'ulting in a cool cabinet and great efiicie'ncy.

Any desired control may be used to retain the energization of the heating coil 155 for a proper length of time, after which tumbling may be continued for such time as is desirable to utilize any heat reserve available, although, if desired, both tumbling and energization maybe discontinued simultaneously with safety by reason of the protective screen 6 and the spacing of the "coil therebehind. At the same time, during tumbling, radiant heat will be directed upon the laundry being dried, and such radiant heat may be enhanced by providing the sleeve 153 with a reflective surface, and also the interior surface of the end wall 148 of the cabinet.

The front door, opening to the loading aperture of the druin as well as uncovering the lint screen '176, perinits ready inspection and cleaning of the lint screen Without inconvenience. Such screen may be bodily removed for cleaning, if desired. 7

The construction will be seen to aiiord maximum cajp'acity, to comprise a minimum of parts, many of -which are duplicated, whereby the cost is greatly reduced, as well as to provide for ready assembly. The annular bearings and bearing felts eliminate any center bearings,

and provide bearing surfaces that arequiet, of extended area, and which admit of large central apertures at both front and back, whereby an enters the drum at low'vellocity and disseminates and diffuseseiflcient'ly through the laundry for fast and uniform drying.

Drums of the type described tend to resonate, but 'the -felt bearing rings disclosed tend to silence the operation. The lint screen 176, being located immediately adjacent the front drum outlet, removes the lint before it can pass into the blower 38 or any of the closed ducts. At the same time, the entire Ipassa'ge, formed by thedoor Z3a'nd front cabinet wall 21, is open for complete ready inspection and removal of lint whenever an accumulationwarrants. It should be understood, however, that the imperforate smooth drum walls minimize lint generation.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood -tlrattho As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall with a circular access opening therein surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting cylindrical bearing flange, a rotary tumbling drum comprising an annular forward end wall, having an annular axially forward facing bearing channel formed integrally therewith around its axial opening and adapted to telescope the bearing flange of the front cabinet wall, and resilientbearing strips mounted on said flange and engaging the opposed side walls of said bearing channel.

2. In a laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall with a circular access opening surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting cylindrical bearing flange, a rotary tumbling drum comprising annular forward and rear end walls, and a connecting substantially cylindrical wall, said end walls having axially outwardly facing bearing channels formed integrally therewith around the openings therein, said forward channel telescoping the bearing flange on the front cabinet wall, a cylindrical member mounted in the rear of said structure coaxially with the flange of the latter and adapted to project telescopically within the rearward facing bearing channel, and bearing strips applied to said flange and member and adapted to engage the opposed side walls of the respective bearing channels.

3. In a laundry dryer, a rotary tumbling drum having an annular end wall, said end wall having a large central inlet opening and an axially facing annular channel member surrounding said opening, the facing internal flange sides of which form cylindrical bearing faces, and a stationary cylindrical bearing member mounted in telescopic relation to said channel member, and non metallic strip material disposed between the facing surfaces of said cylindrical bearing member and said faces.

4. In a laundry dryer, a rotary 'tumblingdrurn having an annular end wall with a large central inlet opening and an axially facing annular channel member around said opening, the flange sides of which form cylindrical bearing faces, and a stationary cylindrical bearing member engaged in telescopic relation with said channel membenand non-metallic strip material in two ar'cuate lengths applied to said cylindrical bearing member, one to the outside surface thereof, and the other to the diametrically opposed inside surface thereof, one of said lengths being adapted to engage the inner surface of the outer flange side of said channel member, and the other the outer surface of the inner flange side.

5. in alaundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall, a circular 'access'openi'ng formed in said front wall surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting annular bearing flange, a cylindrical air inlet member mounted on said structure to the "rear thereof coaxial with said flange, a tumbling drum having annular end Walls and a substantially cylindrical connecting Wall, said end Walls being journalel on said flange and cylindrical member respectively, a heating unit in said cylindrical member, a door for said front 'wallhavin'g a body portion spaced "from said front Wall and adapted to cover said access o ening and form together with said front 'wall an outlet passage, and means within said enema for drawing air through said outlet passage from said drum, "and from said heating "cylinder. '6. in a laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall, a-circul'ar accessopenin'g formed in said front wall surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting annular bearing flange, a "cylindrical "bearing member mounted on said {structure to the rear thereof coaxial'w'ith "said flange and of a like diameter, a tumbling drum having annular-end Walls 'anda substantially cylindrical connecting wall, said endwalls being "journ'aled on said'fiange and rear bearing member respectively, an exhaust opening in saidffron't Wall in spaced relation to said access opening, a lint screen covering said exhaust o ening, and a door mounted "on 'saidwall adapted "to cover both openings and 'lraving a body portion spaced from said wall "tofo'rm with'said wall a passage from said access opening to said eiihaust opening.

7. 'Inja laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall, a circular access opening formed in said front wall surrounded by an integral rearwardlypro'jecting annular bearing flange, a cylindrical bearing member mounted 'on said structure to the rear thereof coaxial 'withsaid flange and of alike diameter, a tumbling drum having annular end walls and a substantially cylindrical connecting wall, said end walls being "journaled on said flange and're'arbearing member respectively, an exhaust opening in said "front wall disposed in spaced relation from said access opening, a lint screen covering said-exhaust opening, a door mounted on said wall adapted to cover both openings and having a body portion spaced from said wall to form with said wall a passage from said access opening to said exhaust opening, and a blower within said cabinet structure having an inlet duct connected with said exhaust opening.

8. In a laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall, a circular access opening in said front wall surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting annular bearing flange, a cylindrical bearing member mounted on said structure to the rear thereof coaxial with said flange and of a like diameter, means within said cylindrical member for heating air flowing therethrough, a tumbling drum having annular end walls and a connecting substantially cylindrical wall, said end walls being journaled on said flange and rear bearing member respectively, an exhaust opening in said front wall disposed in spaced relation from said access opening, a lint screen covering said exhaust opening, and a door mounted on said wall adapted to cover both openings and having a body portion spaced from said wall to form with said wall a passage from said access opening to said exhaust opening.

9. In a laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall, a circular access opening in said front wall surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting annular bearing flange, a cylindrical bearing member mounted on said structure at the rear thereof coaxial with said flange and of a like diameter, means within said cylindrical member for heating air flowing therethrough, a tumbling drum having annular end walls and a substantially cylindrical connecting wall, said end walls being journaled on said flange and rear bearing member respectively, an exhaust opening in said front wall disposed in spaced relation from said access opening, a lint screen covering said exhaust opening, a door mounted on said Wall adapted to cover both openings and having a body portion spaced from said wall to form with said Wall a passage from said access opening to said exhaust opening, and a blower within said cabinet structure having an inlet duct connected with said exhaust opening.

10. In a laundry dryer, a cabinet structure having a front wall, a circular access opening in said front wall surrounded by an integral rearwardly projecting annular flange, a substantially imperforate tumbling drum mounted for rotation within said structure, and having an annular front wall coupling with said flange, an exhaust opening in said front wall located in spaced relation from said access opening, a lint screen covering said exhaust opening, a door mounted on said wall and adapted to cover both openings and having'a body portion spaced from said wall'to form with said" wall a passage from said access opening to said exhaust opening, .a blower within said cabinet structure having an inlet duct connected to said exhaust opening, a discharge duct having front and rear outlets located in the base of said cabinet structure, and a blower outlet duct connected to said discharge duct intermediate the ends thereof.

11. In a laundry dryer, a frame structure, a tumbling drum comprising annular end members and a substantially cylindrical connecting member, mounted for rotation in said frame structure, one of said annular end members defining an access and air outlet opening, and the other an air inlet opening, annular bearing means mounted on said frame structure surrounding said openings, said front bearing being adapted to support the access opening end member of said drum, an annular cylindrical drive pulley mounted on the other end member, a suspended sling belt drive coacting with said drive pulley in driving relation, a driving pulley rotatably supported on said frame structure above said pulley, and forming a support and drive for said sling belt drive, and an annular bearing mounted on said frame structure for said other end member adapted to exert a downward thrust in opposition to the suspending effect of said suspended sling belt drive.

12. In a laundry dryer, a frame structure, a tumbling drum, having a rear cylindrical bearing flange, a cylindrical bearing member mounted on said structure and having surrounding telescopic relation with said flange, arcuate interior bearing means mounted on the upper half of said bearing member adapted to form a bearing for said flange, an annular drive member mounted on the rear of said drum, and of a diameter greater than said bearing member, a drive pulley movably mounted upon said structure above said drive member and in the plane thereof, a sling belt for said pulley and annular drive member, and means for resiliently urging said drive pulley upward to tension said sling belt and urge said flange upwardly into engagement with said bearing means.

13. In a laundry dryer, a frame structure, a tumbling drum having a rear cylindrical bearing flange, a cylindri cal bearing member mounted on said structure and having surrounding telescopic relation with said flange, arcuate interior bearing means mounted on the upper half of said bearing member adapted to form a bearing for said flange, an annular drive member mounted on the rear of said drum and of a diameter greater than said bearing member, an arm having longitudinal sliding and pivotal movement mounted upon said frame structure and extending above said drive member, a drive pulley and stub shaft journaled in the upper end of said arm above and in the plane of said drive member, a sling belt mounted on said pulley and embracing said drive member, resilient means for urging said arm upwardly and laterally away from the axis of said drum, to urge said drum upwardly and said flange into engage ment with said bearing means, a motor mounted below said drum on said frame structure, and drive means extending upwardly from said motor to drive said stub shaft, said resilient means being adapted to tension said drive means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES The New Automatic Speed Queen Clothes Drier, published by Speed Queen Corporation, Ripon, Wisconsin. 4 pages, undated.

Speed Queen Dryer Parts Manual, Models DB6 and 7, Speed Queen Corporation, Ripon, Wisconsin, 10 pages. 

